Trent30 challenge asks anglers to count fish species

Trent30 challenge launched for anglers

The Trent Rivers Trust is challenging anglers to settle a question that has lingered since the 16th century: does the River Trent still hold 30 species of fish?

The Trent30 challenge, launched by the environmental charity with support from the Angling Trust, opens on 16 June and will run for 12 months. Anglers are asked to log every species they catch across the Trent and its tributaries using a mobile app survey, with the data used to direct restoration work where it is most needed.

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Historic link between the Trent and the number 30

The number 30 is woven into the river’s identity. Legend has it the river derived its name from the French trente – 30 – citing the number of species that once swam its waters. A 1641 document lists trout, salmon and grayling among those species, but how many species remain today is, according to the trust, largely unknown.

Dr Scott McKenzie, the trust’s head of rivers, said: “We hope the challenge will give anglers an opportunity to think differently about the fish they target, what a healthy fishery looks like and how they can help its recovery. Anglers can play a vital role in conservation, are incredibly knowledgeable about their river and can help fill a huge knowledge gap for us. The Trent, despite being a nationally important river, receives little consistent monitoring, which makes it difficult for charities like ours to target conservation efforts.”

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Prizes available for participants

Monthly prizes are available to participants, with a final draw for those recording the most species. Register at trentriverstrust.org/trent30.